If they mix the contrast too thick you can get constipated. (Happened to me during the first one) The best thing to do after you get home is to take 3 tblsp. of mineral oil in 4 oz. of water. It will help past it on easier. If you get no relief and feel like there's rocks inside you take another dose after 6 hours. Mineral oil is a very safe laxative, it's just greases the track.

It's no big deal to do the test. You stand on a special tilt table and drink the contrast. It's a little lemony, but very chalky. They then make you drink some fizzy stuff. It's to make your stomach swell up. You're told not to burp or you have to drink more. They then tilt you back to laying down position. They have you lay certain ways and roll over and over. It's very hard not to burp during this. Then your done.

I hope you are feeling better! Joy is spot on with her suggestions. I just had this test, again. Easy peasy...I was "looking forward" to the lemon flavor because I love lemons. Instead, mine was banana flavored "chalk". The radiologist told me the granulated "crystals" was like Alka-Seltzer. Good luck with your test. Hope it helps you better define what you need to do to feel better!!

Had barium swallow today. Glad that's over. No signs of strictures, no mention of hiatal hernia, and I forgot to ask, they keep ya kind of busy between position changes and swallowing the barium. I will get official results at MD appt. this tursday. I've been feeling better the last three days, for some odd reason anyways and gained 4 pounds.